Lawmakers Highlight Importance of US-Mexico Cooperation
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, a group of Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to Mexico's undersecretary for North America, Carlos Sada, regarding the importance of U.S.-Mexico cooperation in light of the recent extradition of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. The letter was signed by Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-CA), Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and James P. McGovern (D-MA).
The letter comes as the Trump administration announces new executive actions aimed at building a wall between the United States and Mexico, a key ally.
"I am proud to join my Democratic colleagues in highlighting the importance of our strong partnership with Mexico," said Rep. Torres. "Donald Trump wants to wall us off from our neighbors, but we will get a better deal by working with Mexico to tackle the serious issues that are facing both our countries. We saw this just law week, when engagement with Mexico put El Chapo behind bars in an American prison, facing charges in an American court."
"Working with Mexico is crucial now more than ever," said Rep. Cardenas. "The success of this partnership was underlined in the extradition of ‘El Chapo' under the Obama Administration. While our new President may not recognize this success, we will continue to support this relationship and to stand up for our many mutual interests."
In the letter, the Democratic lawmakers noted that the strong law enforcement and justice sector cooperation that began under President George W. Bush and strengthened under President Barack Obama has led to the recent extradition of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and is in the national interest of both countries. They also underscored the need to strengthen cooperation, especially in the areas of anti-corruption and accountability for government officials.
The full text of the letter is below. A pdf can be found HERE.
Carlos Manuel Sada Solana
Subsecretario para América del Norte
Subsecretaría para América del Norte
Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores
Plaza Juárez 20, Piso 18
Delegación Cuauhtémoc
Colonia Centro
06010 Ciudad de México
Dear Undersecretary Sada,
We write to express our strong support for law enforcement cooperation between the U.S. and Mexican governments, which has led to the extradition of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzman to the United States.
Such cooperation is in the national interest of both our countries. Transnational criminal organizations, such as the one that Mr. Guzman led, remain a significant threat to public health and public security on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
As you know, the law enforcement partnership known as the Merida Initiative began under Presidents George W. Bush and Felipe Calderón and has been strengthened under Presidents Barack Obama and Enrique Peña Nieto. As we move forward, we must continue to work together to strengthen and reform law enforcement and justice sector institutions. We must also redouble our efforts to fight against corruption, ensuring that government officials are held to the highest ethical standards.
Please count on our continued friendship and support for ongoing cooperation between the United States and Mexico.
Sincerely,
Norma J. Torres
Member of Congress
Eliot L. Engel
Member of Congress
Albio Sires
Member of Congress
Tony Cárdenas
Member of Congress
Joaquin Castro
Member of Congress
James P. McGovern
Member of Congress